Helovia was a land of enchantment. Unlike the corrupt magic that had run through the earth in my home world this land presented the beauty of nature as it should be: rich, luscious, pure. The magic here did not feel like a threat. Maybe I was naive for thinking this, but I did not believe coming into contact with it would cause my body to become possessed by unnatural forces. As I drifted in the water, its cool touch saving me from the burning sun, I felt my muscles relax.

Until I saw something in the distance.

Every single hair stood on edge as my instincts yelled at me to leave. Now. Yet something beckoned to me. Curiosity killed the cat. Luckily I wasn't a cat, although at this rate I wish I had been born as a feline. Nine lives would be helpful in all these strange worlds. I had to chuckle despite myself. Just before, when I was still in the Rift, I wanted it all the end but now I was speaking about extra lives instead of ending the only one I had.

Slowly but surely I swam to the archipelago of islands. However this approach would not work for long. A strong undertow of currents pulled at me. Eyes widened in despair as I found myself fighting against the current. I had never been a wonderful swimmer - there was hardly ever opportunities to wade around in water without fear of losing limbs. The more I tried to fight it the more my limited strength was sapped away. Before I knew it was a rag doll and the currents my puppeteer.

This way and that my body was violently jerked. My neck reached for the skies, reached for the air as water splashed into my lungs. At this rate I was going to drown. Wind buffeted my face that soon became raw from the exposure. "H-Help..!" A pleading call from a desperate creature whom had once again proven herself a fool.

I was like the epitome of a damsel in distress. Except I wasn't worth saving. I wasn't the fairest of them all nor was I from a rich lineage. Really, I was a nobody. My legs fought against the currents once more as my eyes pinpointed the island. Please.. I had to get there. Somehow.

In that moment the currents suddenly changed directions and I found myself being forced toward the island. Did water usually act like this? I couldn't help but think before my head was fully submerged in water. Soon enough the seabed would be my grave.

I don't recall what happened next. Everything was black and when I finally came to I struggled to find air. Sand brushed against my sides but I didn't notice as I coughed and hacked, water spilling from my lungs. The whole world spun as I gulped in breath after breath of air. By some miracle I was still alive. Again I had escaped Death. Maybe I was a cat after all.

Exhaustion held my body in place on the shoreline. Water lapped at my sides but, for now, I was safe. At least.. I hope so. Shivers racked from my body as fear lurked in the shadows of my mind.